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Howard Bushong enters his fifth season as assistant coach to the Texas State Bobcat baseball team. From 1993 to 1999, Bushong served as the Bobcats head coach before fellow Texas alum Ty Harrington took over the program.
After managing the Rookie Ball teams for the San Diego Padres and Detroit Tigers for four years, Bushong decided to return to Texas State. He will be working primarily with the pitchers and catchers, as well as taking on most of the recruiting duties due to his familiarity in Central Texas and with the Bobcat Program.
"Howard understands the tradition here and is a big part of the existing history," Harrington said. "He will help us continue to achieve and succeed."
While the skipper at Texas State, his leadership transformed the baseball program, leading the Bobcats to their first ever Southland Conference Tournament title and first NCAA Regional (Tournament) appearance. In his six seasons, the Bobcats won SLC Texas Division titles in 1996 and 1997, including an SLC Tournament title in 1997. Bushong's crew also won the SLC Tournament title in 1999.
Although winning and being a part of a champion was new to Texas State under Bushong, it was nothing new for Bushong himself, as he experienced a great deal of success as a player with the Texas Longhorns. He was part of the Longhorns' 1976 national championship team as a catcher under Head Coach Cliff Gustafson's watch.
After graduating from Texas with a physical education degree in 1977, Bushong amassed a stellar high school coaching record of 311-84 (.787) at Austin Westlake High. He coached there 12 years and collected 11 district titles, six state tournament appearances and two state championship titles. Bushong is considered one of most successful high school coaches ever in Texas and had two successful major league players, Kelly Gruber and Calvin Schiraldi, play under him.
Bushong then spent three seasons at his alma mater UT as an assistant coach, specializing as a pitching coach. In that period, UT won 147 games, two Southwest Conference titles, and made two trips to the College World Series.
After coaching the Bobcats from 1993-1999, and being selected Southland Conference Coach of the Year in 1996, he went to pro ball to manage the San Diego Padres' Rookie Ball and extended spring clubs based in Peoria, Arizona for a year Following that stint, Bushong then joined the Detroit Tiger organization to coach the Rookie Ball club from 2000-2003 at Lakeland, Florida.
"The biggest reason I came back, is to be close to my family, which is here," Bushong said. "I also understand Bobcat baseball, and more importantly know how to win here."
Bushong lives with his wife Sue. He has one son, Toby (32), a grand daughter, Brooke (11 months) and two step children, Justin (18) and Lindsey (15).
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